Lawrence, Mass. (Jan. 30, 2019) – Lawrence High School celebrated an important milestone recently, as LHS was awarded continued accreditation in the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).
NEASC re-accreditation is a thorough process of both self-evaluation and outside assessment by a team of visiting educators, measuring if a school is meeting its own learning goals as well as rigorous universal standards for a high-quality education. District and school leaders invited LHS staff to the Performing Arts Center to be acknowledged for the years of work and dedication that made the achievement possible.
“I know everyone here played a part, and your commitment to this school, its students and its families was evident in the NEASC board’s many commendations,” Superintendent Cynthia Paris told LHS staff, who also received congratulations from Mayor Dan Rivera and LHS teacher and NEASC Steering Committee Chair Richard Gorham.
“This was a very close, comprehensive look at Lawrence High School,” Paris said, “and you made the city and school district proud.”
Gorham cited examples for the many areas and initiatives NEASC commended in its report. They included challenging 21st century learning expectations, faculty’s commitment to meeting the diverse needs of students, a wide availability of college-level courses, the variety of supports for English learners, and strong partnerships with higher education, business, and community organizations. Especially noteworthy was evaluators’ recognition of “the sense of profound belonging that students associate with their school – a place they view as a caring home.” They found that “students feel that the school is like a family.”
NEASC evaluates and accredits public schools throughout New England using a multi-step process over several years. In addition to a self-study by local staff, an 18-member visiting NEASC team conducted a four-day review in Lawrence, which included shadowing students, observing classrooms, touring facilities, and meeting with teachers, students, parents and administrators.
LHS has begun implementing NEASC’s recommendations for continued growth and improvement, which will be reflected in the two-year progress report required by all accredited schools.
